Shrewsbury Town have taken a cheeky swipe at Gillingham after unveiling the signing of defender Will Boyle.
Boyle’s a player who was also on Gills’ summer radar. The Shrews put out a video on their social media channel with Boyle getting in his car and typing Gillingham FC in his satnav before taking a call from Shrewsbury and heading there instead.
Boyle was one of several defenders the Gills looked at this summer but opted to sign former loan player Andy Smith instead, while also agreeing a new one-year with Conor Masterson.
The Gills – managed by former Shrewsbury boss Gareth Ainsworth – will also have been wary over signing a player that didn’t play a minute of league action for Wrexham last season after being hit by injury.
Shrewsbury’s player reveal video was complete with rock music – no doubt another nod to their former boss Ainsworth, who fronts his own band.
Ainsworth left Shrewsbury for Gillingham towards the end of last season, with the Shropshire club bottom of League 1 and heading for relegation.
He took up the opportunity to get into Gillingham early and have a look at the squad before a fresh challenge in League 2 this season. Ainsworth led the Gills to six draws and three wins in his nine games in charge.
The games against Shrewsbury are sure to be interesting this comng season, with the Gills playing them away on November 29 and welcoming them back to Priestfield for the final game of the campaign.
Shrewsbury said they “beat off competition from a host of clubs to land Boyle” and the defender spoke of his move, saying: “It felt like the right fit for where I am now at this stage of my career.
“The club had a disappointing season last season, I am similar personally. I was injured and didn’t play.
“I had a calf injury last season. I didn’t play much football – no hiding from that. I am ready to go now.”
